Moms can you help me with this...?

Question

i noticed last month that one side of my babys head was a little flatter than the other, every night she wants to sleep with her head on the right side. i always move it to the left, but she moves it back to the right. shes 3 months old,has this happend to anyone else, if so how did u stop it?

Answer 1

i've seen pillows that you can buy to prevent flat head syndrome. I never used one but i guess they keep the pressure even.

Answer 2

Roll a blanket up and put it under the side you want the baby to stay away from beneath the baby's arm so you dont have to worry about getting it too close to her head-
A baby's skull isnt set until they're about 5 months old, at least, and it will flatten slightly if a baby prefers one side to the other until the bones find their proper places.
Its just a temporary thing - dont worry.
If its still a problem and you're concerned just ask her doctor at her next check up.

Answer 3

Hey...I have a degree in Early Childhood Development...This is perfectly normal for your baby to prefer one side over the other...for some reason that is where she is comfortable...your babys skull is still very soft and so when she lays on one side more than the other it will appear a little flatter...during the day put her in a swing...a bouncer....or lay her on her tummy...if she still is favoring that side...when she is laying somwhere where you can watch her prop her on the oppisite side with a pillow...so she can't roll to the other...all these little things should help a bit...

Answer 4

This is pretty normal, although a little unsettling too. All 3 of my kids have had this happen, and docs all said not to worry. Babies have soft skulls which can flatten a bit when they prefer to sleep one way. The advice to lay a baby on their backs to prevent SIDS has caused many babies to have a flat spot on their heads, and sometimes a bald spot where she may rub her head.

As she starts to spend more time on her tummy and sitting up, you'll find her skull will round out again. You don't need to do anything special, it happens naturally. If you're particularly worried, ask your pediatrician at the next visit.

Answer 5

That is pretty common. My dd spent 45 days in the nicu, and from being on one side so much, that side was flat, and the back of her head was a little too. The only way to prevent it is vary the position the child is in as much as possible. If it makes you feel any better, her head is perfectly round now, so no harm done!

Answer 6

You need to take her to the doctor about this and do not be fobbed off with 'put her to sleep on the other side, or grow her hair long' This is a condition called plagiocephaly (SP?) and needs a little helmet treatment...please don't be told anything less by your doctor, get the right treatment because her skull will be more receptive to it at this age.
There are lots of articles on the internet about it, look it up!

EDIT: Oh, after seeing the other answers, you might want to try those ideas- but mention it to your doctor anyways :)

Answer 7

oh yes i know about this lol, my baby did the same exact thing! i kept asking the doctor about it and she said as the baby became more mobile and started rolling over and sitting up and stuff it would round out again, i also tried propping a blanket on the side she slept on and she ended up with the blanket in her face and then i tried turning her bassinet or just putting her head at the other end so she was facing the noise and laying on her other side cuz we thought she just wanted to face our voices but that didn't work either, so we just kinda waited it out and it's filling in now, she's 7 months old, and i'm the only one that notices it and it's not dramatic, sometimes when it's the back of the babies head it's a bigger deal, and they need special helmets to shape them, i think that's ridicules, they just came out with them and we all survived didn't we? lol don't worry about it and if you are still very concerned, just call and ask your doctor about it or take your baby in and have her looked at, but like i said, it'll round out, my baby's was pretty dramatic and i never thought it would but it did:)

Answer 8

Baby heads are soft for several months after birth. If she sleeps on that side of her head it will be a bit flat. These things will usually correct themselves. If you are worried, take her to a doctor. Let her sleep how she is comfortable. If you keep trying to change her sleep habits you will have a very cranky baby on your hands.

Answer 9

This is VERY common. If it gets too flat a phys. might recomend a forming helmet to even it out.
There isnt much you can do really... You cant put a blanket next to her head because of suffication risks. You might be able to put her in a swadler wrap and fold a blanket and lay her half on it so it help encourage her to lay on the other side.
Other than that there isnt much to do...
Also of kids have that into the toddler ages.

Answer 10

My daughter was the same way, I read that if you place them in the opposite end of the crib/bassinet they may look the other way, and sleep on that side.
It worked for my little girl. One night she was head at the top, next night feet at the top. Just a suggestion.

Answer 11

During sleep.... you can try to wedge but it won't work for very long. My boy is 5 months now, the pediatrician brought up that his head was too flat (this was his 4mo. visit. Right after that visit he finally flipped onto his tummy and now sleeps that way. Head looks much better now. You didn't mention any concern from your pediatrician so, I really wouldn't be concerned about it until they bring it up. Their heads are like that until they learn to flip. Spending as much tummy time as she can stand during the daytime will help as well.